Archive for March, 2011

I’m faced with a very difficult decision today regarding my memberships with two professional organizations and the desire to join another.

The challenge comes down to what every business owner is facing today: stretching the budget to achieve maximum results.

It doesn’t matter that last fall I prepared what I believe is a realistic 2011 budget. It also doesn’t matter that I do have the money squirreled away to pay for the memberships.

It has everything to do with what’s happening in today’s business climate, planning for my firm’s current and future technology needs, and weighing these considerations with the value I get from my memberships.

The challenge I’ve had the last year is that my schedule hasn’t been in sync with my local IABC and PRSA chapters’ events (and it doesn’t look any better for 2011 either).

For me, the value of membership with a professional organization is based on information/education and social connections. I strongly advise colleagues and students to join at least one organization within their chosen field that offer these kinds of important benefits.

Adding to this conundrum is the Search Engine Marketing Professionals Organization. SEMPO has been on my radar screen for the last few years and is in the forefront because more of my business includes SEO-oriented work and SEO copywriting. Plus I teach this stuff called SEO and online marketing at UNLV Continuing Education.

I’m very passionate about the travel and tourism industry and its one of the industries I enjoy working with. So when events present themselves that could help or hurt that industry, I spread the word.

Take the situation in Washington State for example. The tourism industry is rallying to save Washington State’s tourism marketing (an expected victim to state budget slashing) through an industry alliance and planning summit, I tweeted the following today: